Sluggish Computer [Solved]

Step 1: Perform a clean boot.
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135
Note: Once you are done with clean boot, please follow step 7 in the article to set your computer back to normal startup.

Step 2: Disable the security software and firewall.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows…ivirus-software
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows…ewall-on-or-off

Note: Running the computer without firewall or the anti-virus software is a potential threat to the computer; make sure to enable the security software after completing the troubleshooting steps and after identifying the issue.

If the updates still do not install then try this:

Step 3: Manually download and install the updates that are failing.
a.Go to the following link.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/default.aspx
b.Search using the KB number and download the update.


Please let me know how this goes. Also, is your audio still having issues or has that resolved itself now?

I was able to fix the audio problem through one of the drivers. Unfortunately, after following the above instructions, the security update still failed.

Is it still all of the ones in the image or just a few particular ones. Are there any others not shown in the image?

Please try taking the oldest update that will not install and installing that one on it's own. See if it will install by itself.

There are other failed updates but that particular one was the first one that failed on this computer and that was in December 2009. All the failed codes that I found were: kb2668562 kb2705219 kb2585542 kb2478663 kb915597 kb2434419 kb970430 Im going to attempt to download all of them one by one.

Sometimes the updates "build" upon each other. So if one fails, there may be others that won't install. Updating them one at a time, while painful for you, may be the best course of action. If you can get a few of the older ones to install, you may be able to try doing two or three at a time and see if you can successfully install them. It does happen from time to time. Every once in awhile there is an update that likes to be installed alone too. (Unfortunately, they usually forget to tell you about it and you end up finding out after way too long Googling to figure out the problem). Let me know how it goes. If you still have trouble - we'll get someone from the Windows forum involved. I don't want to let you go until you have all your updates, and I can give you some final tips.

Thank you very much I went though each code and was only able to successfully update one but it wasn't the one that continually fails. I still cant get that one after going though every single update: kb2668562-Already have this. Not why it showed failed. kb2705219-Update does not apply to my system kb2585542-update does not apply to my system kb2478663-downloaded successfully kb915597-no update found kb2434419-no update found kb970430-failed Quick question on combo fix. I would love to know how to use it so I don't have to keep coming here to be bothersome. From what I understand, you run it once, then run esset online scanner. If it comes up with something, make sure you take out the false positives. Then you past them in notepad first with the command "File::" and ending with "ClearJavaCache::" then save as CFScript.text and drag? Should windows defender be on along with windows firewall and norton or should I have norton regulate the firewall? I had windows defender off because it blocked some programs that I wasn't able to make "exceptions" for.

Glad you resolved or found that most of them were ok not to be installed!

Let's try the information found here to get that one failed download to install.

Quick question on combo fix. I would love to know how to use it so I don't have to keep coming here to be bothersome

I wish I could tell you that using Combofix was simple for the average user. However, it is not a program you should use on your own. In fact, the warning below is what I tell users who come to the forum having already run Combofix on their own:
While you may see ComboFix being used quite often, and without incident, the tool should not be run unsupervised (as stated in the Disclaimer that is first displayed by ComboFix when you run the tool) Going forward, I highly recommend you heed such instructions.

Why we don't ask you to run ComboFix from the onset

As stated by the author of ComboFix:

ComboFix is a very powerful tool which when improperly used may render your machine to a doorstop.

We first need to verify if there's any rootkits present and how they could affect our tools. DDS & GMER are preliminary scans. We use their logs to map our strategy for attack.

With these logs we can determine the infections present & decide whether to deploy ComboFix.

But, if you are interested in learning more about malware and it's removal - you could consider signing up to study here at What the Tech and training to be a helper in the forums

Should windows defender be on along with windows firewall and norton or should I have norton regulate the firewall?

I personally do not turn on Windows Defender. Whether to use Norton as your firewall or to use the Windows Firewall is your option - the most important thing is to always have a firewall turned on. If you find that Norton bogs down the system you could also use the Windows Firewall and consider one of the free AntiVirus options below:
Here are some of the better free AV products.
Microsoft Security Essentials <– I recommend it highly
Avira AntiVir
Avast!
AVG Anti-Virus (Free version available)


Let me know if that last update installs please. Also, is the machine still sluggish or has that improved now? Are there any lingering problems from that rootkit?

I think following those directions messed up the problem even more. When I open the windows update program it completely erased all my update history. Not sure if it possibly erased all the updates period. I still cannot get that update to install.

It didn't erase any updates that were already done. Don't panic. It just recreated a fresh folder. When you check for updates now, do any updates show as needing to be installed?

Yes it still shows an important update which is the one I have not been able to download, KB970430, and it still fails. What should I do about the folder I had to rename "SDold"?

At this point, your issues do not appear to be related to malware and I'd like to refer you to our Windows Forum for additional help. When posting there, please feel free to include a link to this post in case they need to see any information contained in the logs.

If they are unable to assist, or in case you have any other questions, I'll leave this thread open for a few more days here.


=========================

The following will implement some cleanup procedures as well as reset System Restore points:

• Click the Windows Key + R to open the Run box.
• Now type Combofix /uninstall in the runbox and click OK. Note the space between the X and the U, it needs to be there.
• [external image: Posted Image]

If there are any remaining tools or logs on your desktop you can right-click and delete them.


Great job! Your logs appear to be malware free and you do not appear to be experiencing any malware related problems.
Please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer malware free and secure:

Use and Update your AntiVirus Software
It is very important that your computer has an anti-virus software running on your machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future. It is imperitive that you update your Antivirus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your antivirus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.

Use a Firewall
I can not stress how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is succeptible to being hacked and taken over. I am very serious about this. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly.

Use only one antivirus and one firewall on your machine
Having more than one anti-virus program and one firewall on your machine, even if only one is running, can cause conflicts and slowdowns in the performance of the machine.

If you need more information on free anti-virus or firewall options please let me know and I will give you some recommendations.

Make your Internet Explorer more secure
This can be done by following these simple instructions:
1. From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
2. Click once on the Security tab
3. Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
4. Click once on the Custom Level button.
5. Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
6. Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
7. Change the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
8. Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
9. Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
10. Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
11. When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
12. If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
13. Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.

Keep your Java, Adobe Reader and Adobe Flash Up to Date
Older versions of these programs can contain security vulnerabilities. It is very important to keep them updated.

Update and Run Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Scan your computer with this program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software making sure you update definitions each time you scan.

To simplify making sure you have the latest version of many of your security programs and applications, you may want to consider:
Secunia's Personal Software Inspector (PSI). It is a free utility that scans your computer for installed applications and checks to see if they have the latest security patches and updates. If it finds any applications with possible security issues, links and/or instructions are provided for the necessariy updates.

Filehippo's Update Checker. It is free utilitiy that scan your computer for installed software, checks the versions and then sends this information to see if there are any newer releases. Available software updates are displayed and you can decide which ones to download and install. Among many other types of programs, they includes a number of the Anti-Spyware, Firewall/Security and Anti-Virus programs that have been recommended (though not all of them). Note: Definition files should be updated from within the programs themselves. The Update Checker look for newer versions of the software program, not definition files.

I would suggest you read:
Tony Klein's excellent article: How I got Infected in the First Place
PC Safety and Security–What Do I Need?
How to Prevent Malware

Good luck & Happy surfing!

I really appreciate all your help. One last thing. When I type "Combofix /uninstall" in run, it says Windows cannot find ComboFix

No problem, you can go ahead and right-click and delete the icon if it still exists on your desktop.

Thank you so much for your assistance. It's much appreciated.